About Project Purley

Project Purley was founded in 1982 by merging three groups, Transcribing Parish Registers, Natural History and Archaeology at the Church. We have a regular programme of talks on the 3rd Friday of each month from September to April and outings and visits in May, June and July. Our main social activities are a BBQ in July and a Christmas Party in December. Each year we sponsor performances by the Rain or Shine Theatre Company which raise money for local good causes.

Individual members pursue their own researches and interests and we publish articles in our Journal (published three times a year). Contributions and articles are also submitted to Purley Parish News and other publications and occasionally we put on exhibitions or host the meetings of other groups. Several members are willing to do commissioned research (eg into family history) or give talks to other societies.

We have an extensive archive of research material including photos, drawings, articles and copies and transcipts of original documents (We have a strict policy that original documents are offered to the Berkshire Record Office or the Reading Local Studies Library.)

Several of our members are involved in research either out of their own personal interests or as part of a group within Project Purley. The following is a summary of some of the projects underway at the moment:-

The Purley River Estate

A small group is looking into the history of the Purley River Estate and interviewing people who have memories of the estate, its buildings and activities. contact editor@project-purley.eu for more details.

Berkshire War Memorials

Several members of Project Purley have been involved in documenting and recording War memorials across Berkshire. There has been extensive research into the men (and a few women) who are recorded on the memorials and it is hoped to bring members of other societies together to share results. Contact John@project-purley.eu for more details.

The Project Purley Archive

Over the years Project-Purley has acquired a vast number of images, articles, books, press cuttings etc etc relating to Purley. Most of this material is at present stored in members’ lofts, under beds, in cupboards and garages and is generally inaccessible to most members. A few years ago Project Purley embarked upon a project to digitise this material and make it available electronically. For more information look at our Archive page.